Abstract
The term peritidal refers to areas “within and slightly outside the influence of tides”. The diversity and distribution of potential stromatolites growing in these areas is discussed. The chapter deals with Recent examples to better understand the available ecospace of procaryotes that produce biolaminations to considerable thickness. Two main variations are considered: the macro- to mesotidal coast controlled by a severe tidal rhythm, and the microtidal coast, usually more protected against ocean dynamics and controlled by climate factors. In macrotidal to mesotidal areas of temperate climate, microbial mats usually develop first at the intertidal/supratidal boundary. Their distribution seems to be controlled by effects of tidal flushing which runs twice a day, erodes sediment and supplies the intertidal bioturbating fauna with plenty food and oxygen. At microtidal coast which are more frequent in lower latitudes, effects of tides are less intense, climatic factors getting more important for benthic systems. Schizohaline, hypersaline or even freshwater conditions prevail. Distribution of microbial mats towards the intertidal takes place. Likewise, structural diversification of microbial mats increases. Smooth, tufted, pinnacle- and pincushion-like, pustular and blistered surface structures indicate low energy conditions. Microbial bioherms may basically indicate the increase of water depth. Three basic mechanisms producing biolaminated buildups are discussed: (a) the grain-supported type resulting from the movement of motile microbes corresponding to repeated sedimentation of lower rate, (b) buildups according to filaments erected above the mat surface causing baffling of currents and settling of sediment grains, (c) mat-by-mat overgrowth without sedimentation resulting from a competitive growth between populations of mat-forming microbes in response to fluctuations of local ecological conditions. Grain-supported growth bedding may indicate settings controlled by tidal activity, while biolaminations without sedimentation refer to settings in which almost non-deposition prevails (e.g. microtidal lagoons and anchialine pools). Several sedimentological features are discussed which in association with biolaminated deposits contribute to peritidal characteristics (e.g. open space structures, non-skeletal carbonate particles forming within microbial mats, burrows, physical deformation structures, peritidal organic matter and metal accumulation).
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Gerdes, G., Krumbein, W.E. (1994). Peritidal Potential Stromatolites — A Synopsis. In: Bertrand-Sarfati, J., Monty, C. (eds) Phanerozoic Stromatolites II. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-1124-9_5
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